Subscribe to the free True Conversations Network podcasts and listen on ITUNES or SOUNDCLOUD from your phone or computer.

Today you will be listening to my conversation with Blair Imani and Monique Le. The two of them have collaborated to create their first self published book entitled Modern HERstory.

Blair Imani is a Black American Muslim activist living in Brooklyn, NY. Imani is the founder and Executive Director of Equality for HER a nonprofit educational platform for feminine identifying individuals.

Modern HERstory is Equality for HER’s very first self published print publication. The book is an inclusive and intersectional approach to women’s history with vibrant illustrations from artist Monique Le.

On June 9th Blair appeared on the Fox News show Tucker Carlson Tonight where she was interviewed about her support of Taxpayer Funded Muslim Safe Spaces. I offered Blair the opportunity in this podcast to talk some more about that. She took it and so you’ll hear some about that as well.

Join me as you find out how these two women met (have still never met in person), created Modern HERstory and why?

Lisa Kumagai Sung is a widow of suicide, and a mother of two. In this week's True Conversation show podcast on the True Conversations Network, we talk openly and honestly about the struggles of loving someone with mental illness, the complexities of marriage, parenthood and the personal journey of growth beyond loss and grief.

LISTEN BY STREAMING HERE OR TAKE OUR ENTIRE FREE PODCAST CHANNEL WITH YOU ON THE GO.

Welcome to True Conversations with Paula. Listen in as I talk with Krystyn about her personal healing journey. In her 20's she spent time in a Roman Catholic religious community. Find out how she went from a convent (where dance is forbidden) to a life now filled with dance.

Subscribe to the free podcast network and listen on ITUNES or SOUNDCLOUD from your phone

True Conversations host and founder, Meghan Enriquez and founder of Ms Biz Mornings, Lisa Stearns, talk about how as a babyboomer woman, Lisa never liked being defined by the box that society decided was "a girl." Girls were not supposed to be loud or climb trees or know what they want in life. But Lisa did all of those things. Enjoy this cross generational discussion on why we lose our voice as women, and how to reclaim it.

Want to support spreading a culture of being transparent, real, uplifting and empowering?

Become a TRUE ambassador today email us for more details at info@true-conversations.com

LISTEN BY STREAMING HERE OR TAKE OUR ENTIRE FREE PODCAST CHANNEL WITH YOU ON THE GO.

Join Christie Rosen, author of Empowering the Sensitive, and True Conversations CEO Meghan Enriquez as we discuss how tough times impact us sensitive souls, from creating a need for more rest to also giving us an opportunity to grow into our truest most evolved selves.

LISTEN BY STREAMING HERE OR TAKE OUR ENTIRE FREE PODCAST CHANNEL WITH YOU ON THE GO.

There is no question that Christie came into this world a sensitive soul. Whether it was being sensitive to foods, fabrics, people and smells or being highly emotionally open and aware of other people’s feelings, she has always experienced life deeply.

After years of struggling with fatigue, stomach upset and anxiety, she felt like she had no where to turn. Her doctors didn't think I looked "sick" and dismissed my concerns when nothing came back abnormal with her bloodwork. Thankfully, she found yoga and began to look at her body and her health from a more holistic perspective. Over the course of the years she has discovered so many different ways of natural healing that have helped her and countless clients.

Her new book, Empowering the Sensitive Soul - Simple Wisdom to Improve Your Health, Cultivate Self-Acceptance and Let Go of What is Holding You Back is available!

A long-time advertising copywriter and branding consultant, Susan is a graduate of Barnard College and received her health coaching certification from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She lives in Washington, DC with two supremely assertive cats and one dog (who needs a little work on the confidence front).Susan is the founder of One Girl Wellness, a health-coaching consultancy dedicated to “raising stronger women one girl at a time.”

LISTEN BY STREAMING HERE OR TAKE OUR ENTIRE FREE PODCAST CHANNEL WITH YOU ON THE GO.

Launching soon True Conversations online Boutique that is redefining how we lead and communicate! Take a sneak Peak the many designs created by a college student, stay at home mom and local designer. Grab a VIP pass NOW to pre launch and one time discounts Jan 31!

Sign the True Success Manifesto which is redefining what we should all be striving for! Learn more.

Christine Johnson is a digital marketer with a passion for politics. She has spent the last two campaign cycles focused on digital organizing and fundraising for a progressive member of Congress. As a Democratic politically active feminist millennial, this last election hit her hard... but it's also given her a tremendous amount of hope. She firmly believes that the 2016 election was a wake call to her generation to get more involved in the process and to finally start actively participating in the political process. This is not a time to disengage, it's a time to wake up and get organized.

“As a sensitive soul, you may likely struggle with truly loving yourself because you haven’t yet learned of the genuine gifts of your sensitivity, and may be consciously or unconsciously viewing yourself as unusual or even weak.”

There is no question that Christie came into this world a sensitive soul. Whether it was being sensitive to foods, fabrics, people and smells or being highly emotionally open and aware of other people’s feelings, she has always experienced life deeply.

After years of struggling with fatigue, stomach upset and anxiety, she felt like she had no where to turn. Her doctors didn't think I looked "sick" and dismissed my concerns when nothing came back abnormal with her bloodwork. Thankfully, she found yoga and began to look at her body and her health from a more holistic perspective. Over the course of the years she has discovered so many different ways of natural healing that have helped her and countless clients.

Her new book, Empowering the Sensitive Soul - Simple Wisdom to Improve Your Health, Cultivate Self-Acceptance and Let Go of What is Holding You Back is available!

This week I got to reminisce and have a true conversation with Christie Rosen, author of Empowering the Sensitive Soul and health coach at Christie Rosen Wellness, about what it means to be a sensitive soul and how our mind plays an even bigger role in our happiness, health and fulfillment than non sensitive souls.

Stream our podcast below or check it out on our itunes channel (available within 24 hours)

She can be reached at http://www.christierosen.com

]]>Purpose and Prevention with Maimah KarmoCareerFamilyHealthParentingSpiritualityMeghan EnriquezSun, 20 Nov 2016 16:32:36 +0000http://www.true-conversations.com/truecast/2016/11/20/purpose-and-prevention-with-maimah-karmo56f03aab859fd0866e8431b1:56f45ed8906340eeb78e3473:5831cda7579fb38c57139fd6We got cozy and had a TRUE conversation about preventing a life of burn out and disease, and living aligned with our soul’s purpose.

“I want my daughter to be who she wants to be not who the world tells her she is. I want her to realize she is source energy and from source she can create anything she wants.”

- Maimah Karmo

This week we are joined by Maimah Karmo who is the Founder of Tigerlily Foundation and a ten year survivor of breast cancer. You can listen to our truecast podcast by streaming below or on our itunes channel (available within 24 hours)

On February 28, 2006, at 4:45 p.m., she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. She had no family history of breast cancer; and was only 32-years old. While undergoing chemotherapy, she made a promise to God that if she survived, she would create an organization that would educate, empower, advocate for and support young women affected by breast cancer. After her second round of treatment, Tigerlily Foundation was born.

Since starting Tigerlily, Maimah has dedicated her life to helping young women around the world. She is a speaker and has appeared in various media outlets, to include O, the Oprah Magazine, Essence, Ladies Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Redbook Women and Cancer, Cure Magazine and more. She has also been featured on Fox 5, ABC 7, CBS, the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America and numerous national radio stations.

She has helped pass two pieces of legislation and in 2009, she spoke on Capitol Hill, alongside Representative Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz to introduce the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act. In October 2010, Maimah was appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women, a committee established by the Affordable Care Act, on which she will work to develop initiatives to increase knowledge of breast health and breast cancer, particularly among women under the age of 40 and those at heightened risk for developing the disease.

In 2015, she received Traditional Home Magazine’s Classic Woman Award. In 2010, she received the Congressional Black Caucus’ Leadership in Advocacy Award, and the Running Start “Women to Watch Award”. In 2009, Maimah was awarded a L’Oreal Paris’ Woman of Worth award, among others. Maimah is a member of the Lance Armstrong Foundation Young Adult Alliance and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Advocates in Science program. She is also a National Breast Cancer Coalition Project LEAD graduate and is an active member of other advocacy organizations. In May 2011, she was awarded as one of Running Start’s “Women to Watch”.

Most dear to Maimah’s heart is being the mother of her beautiful daughter.

Have a topic, person or organization who would be a great fit for a True Conversation? Email us at info@true-conversations.com.

]]>RESPECT: In our Relationships, Parenting and CommunityFamilyCareerRelationshipsParentingMeghan EnriquezWed, 02 Nov 2016 20:47:12 +0000http://www.true-conversations.com/truecast/2016/11/2/respect-in-our-relationships-parenting-and-community56f03aab859fd0866e8431b1:56f45ed8906340eeb78e3473:581a4f95e6f2e1ad8e0653f6This week we are joined by Margaret Lacson-Ecarma, whose experience you will hear is as diverse as it gets, ranging from producing the nightly news to working with the white house administration and owning her own business. When I met Margaret she was speaking to the Asian Business Collective for Women about RESPECT, in a professional sense. I knew that I wanted her and I to revisit respect and how it really looks in the private parts of our lives, between parent and child, spouse to spouse, and stranger to stranger. One of the aspects of respect is solidarity, and how we should always remember we are all one. In the world today, as people are feeling the pains of others through social media and the news, I am thrilled to give you this unique conversation about the components of respect and how to live a fulfilling peaceful life.

This world of ours... must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.

— Dwight D. Eisenhower

Margaret may be reached at margaretlacson1@yahoo.com

]]>Managing It As a MOMpreneur: with Souny West CareerFamilyMeghan EnriquezMon, 24 Oct 2016 21:54:00 +0000http://www.true-conversations.com/truecast/mompreneur-with-souny-west56f03aab859fd0866e8431b1:56f45ed8906340eeb78e3473:57549ebb0442625aeea63db1

I wanted to talk about what it is really like being and balancing being a Mompreneur. Souny West www.sounywest.com is the former owner of W Salon in Virginia and now the founder of www.Collabz.info. She is a mother of two, and an integral part of the Washington DC and Northern VA small business community.

Souny and I have known each other for over 3 years, and having watched her transitions between business and family I knew she was someone we needed to hear from about being a Mompreneur.

We delve into how we stay connected with our children, ourselves, and our support system. How the lessons and values in business transfer over to family and vice versa. What she felt were some of the biggest mistakes and what single concept is so key to everything she does.

Subscribe to our podcast channel on itunes (Truecast True Conversations LLC) and our weekly truenews and inspiration by clicking the banner at the top of the page.

"I think a lot of people price themselves away from their dreams."

I had the enjoyment of talking with Adam Pohl, Broadcaster of the Bowie Baysox, the minor league feeder team of Orioles Baseball. A few weeks ago he had shared with me a story about how he leapt into broadcasting after having been a sure bet in the music industry, and I knew I wanted others, especially Millennials and those who always wondered how they can fulfill a childhood passion? I hope you enjoy his optimism and mindset when it came to creating the journey he always wanted. Listen until the end to hear what Adam feels is the #1 thing people should believe in for their success.

Today we are visited by Bamoyo and LaToya, the owners of Work Life Urgent Care, who are going to share a bit about what life experiences have led them to be the leaders in what I like to call Compassionate Care in the medical and social work field. Listen in to hear why education, listening, and offering a family like practice of integrated supportive services regarding physical AND mental health, as well as substance addiction for members of the community of all ages and backgrounds may just be the key to a happier, healthier Maryland.

Work Life Urgent Care is an integrated medical and behavioral health clinic that offers personal immediate care for non-life threatening conditions such as fever, broken bones, cuts and infections. Also offers assessments, individual and group counseling for mental health and substance use disorders.

7954 Baltimore-Annapolis BlvdSuite 2-CGlen Burnie, MD 21060

410-487-6052

Hours:Monday-Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm; Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am-2:00pm

Area(s) Served:Glen Burnie and northern Anne Arundel County

Target Group:Adults and Children

Fees:Out of pocket fees for behavioral services include:$35 for an individual session$50 for a group or family session

Accepted Payment:Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans

Application Process:Walk In Services

This is NOT a sponsored podcast, meaning, no compensations was exchanged. As with all of our podcasts we shed light on services, people and issues we feel deserve a voice because of their value and insight.

Rebroadcasted from our LIVE event Maryland Peace Day Celebration which was held on September 21, 2016, in celebration of International Day of Peace promoted by Unify and approved by the United Nations in 1981.

Part 1: The Potential of World Peace - Is peace possible and how does disconnection interfere with it?, September 25

Part 2: The Potential of Inner Peace, October 2

Panelists:

Markeesa Oliver has implemented and directed programs for youth, designed to empower young people to reach their greatest potentials through mentoring and life skills training. Her dedication to working with children and their communities has also led to numerous opportunities to present, speak and collaborate with community leaders to form greater partnerships improving education and support for our young people.

Beth Terrence is a trained Shaman, Holistic Health & Wellness Practitioner, Recovery Coach, Speaker and Writer. She has been working in the field of Holistic Healing and Transformation for over 20 years. Beth’s overall mission is to support others in living a heart-centered, balanced and joyful life through discovering the healer within. She views her own life experience and healing journey through trauma and fibromyalgia as a catalyst for the message she brings to the world - that at our core we are all beings of love, light and peace, we are already whole and we just need to “remember”. Beth resides in Annapolis, MD with her loving partner Mario and their 2 cats, Mossimo and Clover. She offers sessions and programs locally, online and via phone/skype. To learn more visit her website www.bethterrence.com. For information on holistic resources for addiction and mental health recovery, visitwww.holisticrecoverypathways.com.

Rachael Villafane recently served in 11 different countries doing a program called the World Race. She partnered with various churches and organizations in Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Greece, Zambia, Swaziland, South Africa, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. She loves traveling, experiencing other cultures and feels called to continue this journey of pursuing overseas mission work.

Transcript Summary:

M - Host, Ma- Markesa, B- Beth, R- Rachael

M- In just a word or two or three what comes to mind when you hear the phrase world peace

Ma- better humanity

B- Possible, probably

R- Only Jesus can bring it

M- we have an educator, a healer and a missionary in the room. One of the things I try to do is bring a well rounded conversations and perspectives. This is a quote and I am going to ask you a follow up question around the quote. (MLK j) Do you think world peace is really possible and if so what work has to happen, and if your answer is no, what work should still happen despite that?

B_ yes possible, and the first thing that comes to mind there are many things we can do as a collective people and the first thing we have to do is cultivate peace within ourselves.

Ma- I am not sure when it would happen I have children and I teach children so I have to be hopeful, I believe when everyone else in the does not believe. I am peace, I bring peace all of the time. I am in a new environment this year in the school than where I have taught, and the children come with so much emotional baggage and stories, and they are not accustomed to adults who don’t yell back and engage with them in the same way and I tend to greet them every day with a low tone and manners and kindness and love and I find in the beginning they were way up here and screaming and yelling and now they are like she is not going to respond in ways that we are used to her responding. I have just acknowledged that the more I am peace the more people have to mimic that we are naturally mimickers. Someone will return that even if they are operating at the highest level and I am here, they will eventually come down here. Just loving humans where they are helps me believe that if I start that ripple effect

M- as someone who works with the youth and education do you feel like that is one of the most important things kids should take away, this is a life skill, this is a being skill. You do that they demonstrating it, what else do you hope for other educators would do to help?

Ma- I really hope and pray that any adult that comes in contact with a child comes in contact with nothing other than unconditional love and respect. There is no learning when they are under high stress and duress, there is no reading or writing or skills. Whether they are coming to you in this or you are creating this duress. Jim Henderson the creator of Sesame street said, children will not remember what you say they will remember who you are. So I hope that educators remember that it is me that matters first, the other stuff matters second. Too many adults get caught up in the business of education, and how we should act, how children should act. We all have situations that heighten our emotions and human connection is the difference maker.

R- I am going to sound unorthodox here, I don’t think world peace is possible. I am a firm believer in Jesus Christ and in his scripture, nation will rise against nation, and there being wars, all of our world history is about wars filled with wars, country to country or locals to locals. I think that we can do as much as we possibly can, I want to advocate for peace over conflict but I think because of the fallen state of man, we are all sinners. We can put the best foot forward and treat people, at the end of the day we are still fallen human beings. I don’t think that day of peace will come back until the Lord comes back. It is funny we are gathered on world peace day because my favorite scripture is “I do not give peace as the world gives it” he is the ultimate bringer of it and I don’t try to go around creating conflict but it is hard to see solutions from a human perspective, because we are all wicked at the core of our being.

M- Markesa, you are also a mother of 3, so your whole world is around empowering and breathing into children, from all of the years of experience, what do you want the youth to understanding in achieving community peace or inner peace.

Ma- I believe that helping young people find their truth who they are, because there are so many messages they receive about who they are, how they should act, they have a hard time identifying who they are, my words to them my prayers to them, is really getting them to their truer self, who they see themselves as, and who they want to be. In spite of what Rachael is saying about mankind… I raise two black boys, it is a tough time, to raise two black boys, and my husband looks just like the man who was shot, and I look at brown faces all of the time. It is a very conflicting time to get all of these messages, are these my real feelings, are these my parents feelings, I want children to get down to the core, as an adult I work really hard to be neutral. I don’t try to impose my views on other people’s children or my own children. I think when you work from a place of your true self you can over come your potential to be wicked. I think that is what God woul want us to be, to work from our highest self. You can only be that way if you are true to yourself. So that is all I can do with my children, my students too, they are all my children.

M- Beth do you have anything to add, I feel like you are this perfect third leg to balance this.

B- I do not believe that everyone is a sinner, and there are different perspectives and part of peace is holding that there are different perspectives and honoring each other in our beliefs. Personally I believe that in our core we are good, and sometimes as we go in our life journey we forget that and lose our way. In the shamanic perspective we talk about how everything is connected and we sometimes disconnect from ourselves, that is the soul part of our self, and so part of our journey is coming back to that. Sometimes when we are disconnected we do things that are not good but it doesn’t mean we are not good people. I think the disconnection is something I wanted to touch on. We do live in a world where we are disconnection is the greatest disease of our time. In indigenous cultures they live in connection with nature and in a balanced way. We are living in a modern world where technology is disconnecting us, and we content to be disconnected from ourselves, because we learned that it was better to focus on other people and it was selfish to think of ourselves so how can we create a connection of ourselves. Peace is something we have to choose. We have to choose to connect with ourselves too.

M- in a way there is a common thread, whether you call it truth or connectedness or the holy spirit you may all identify differently with that feeling of being 100 connected with that feeling, knowing, listening, we are all using different words but to me we are really speaking the same message.

Rachael you just came back from traveling the world on mission trips. This type of experience could lend itself to have an opportunity a unique way of developing inner peace, you can pick and choose, so tell us about an experience that was surprising to you and shaped you moving forward.

Our guest today has experienced grief in many ways over her lifetime so far, including the most recent event of losing her only child. Listen to this 2 part series.

"We heal the planet by not keeping it to ourselves, it is by sharing."- Tracy

Tracy Houchins, of Sacred Healing Hands Wellness Studio, a Wellness Catalyst, is an ICRT licensed and certified, a reiki master teacher and practitioner, certified soul coach and past life coach. With a history of drug addiction, and raising a child who suffered from major depression at a young age, we share with you in part 1 of a 2 part series, her openness, reflection and experiences with you on real love, big love, imperfect but perfect love for a child and yourself.

Part 1: Loving (released 9/4/16)

Listen below or on itunes channel True Conversations LLC

Part 2: Lessons and Leaning In to What is Next (released 9/101/6)

Host's note: The production of this podcast was completely conducted by a higher power. I am grateful for Tracy's willingness to talk with me when the idea to talk with her about something, we did not know what, just popped into my heart. What she also did not know was as she was speaking I was literally reading my questions I had not asked and yet there she was answering them. This is the first podcast that contains music and segments "Quote of the Week" and "From around the world". This production stretched ME in every way and has been a catalyst to honoring these brave story sharers through True Conversations in the professional and quality manner they so deserve. Sincerely, Meghan Enriquez

Please join us for Maryland Peace Day September 21, 6-8:30pm. "From World Peace to Inner Peace" Tickets and sponsorship available.

Part 1: Transcript Summary

Tracy: There will be a certain sense of authority of that journey of traveling as a mom who has lost their only child.

Meghan: There are so many different places in the journey of motherhood where we grieve. I was shocked at the beginning. The grieving at the beginning of welcoming this life into yours and having to let go of this existence you had prior.

Tracy: There is a an energetic shift that takes place from before the conception, the energy has been moving, it has been moving since the soul contract has been signed.

I had shared with you that I have traveled 30 years in addiction and by the grace of god and miracles that have abound for my path 17 years ago I found recovery but Chelsi happened in the midst of it. I was very conscious that I was feeling grown up enough to have her. My husband and I at the time, he and I consciously decided to have a family. That meant that I had to put the things that were most important to me in my life, the next high, aside, and it is interesting how we can do that for another being. But the healing doesn’t happen when we do it for someone else, it only happens when we do it for ourselves. In retrospect I can really see the divine synchronicity, the divine choreography of her coming in when she did. 4 1/ months in I had been diagnosed with placenta previa and was in bed rest, and we hemorrhaged two more times, the final time on the morning of our scheduled cesarean. With that event it became an emergency situation and they had to knock me out and it was four hours later that I was conscious enough that I was able to hold her. It was something I really felt ready for.

Meghan: How did love change for you when you became a mother? Was your expectation of what love should have been was that met right away?

Tracy: Love is such a huge word, because there are so many concepts of what love is and a lot of us have distortions of what love really is, and that is part of our spiritual path and to have this distortion and it comes from our parents and what we had contracted for them to do for us in the way of love and on behalf of love.. I truly had a huge distortion of what love was. By the way I hopped right back on my addictive train, the drug of choice was alcohol, that was part of our journey together. With that the aspects of an addict, it was the largest stepping stone of my life, in the midst of it was difficult to understand what love was. By doing, for my daughter, I thought that was what love was. I lived in a world of perfectionism passed on by many generations and so that added to the distortion of what love was. Trying to be the best version of a mom that I understood of myself that I needed to be. Love showed up as me over doing, it showed up as me projecting, the genetics of the illusion of perfectionism onto her, so she had her own distortions to work out. That did become a life path for her. It all starts from within if you don’t know what it means to truly love yourself you are not able to pass that on. We are already perfect as we are, it is up to us to acknowledge it.

Meghan: What do you think were the lessons that she was placed here for, in order for you to grow your own soul?

Tracy: One of the things I learned from being Chelsi’s mom was I tapped into what real love was, the first time, I laid eyes on her and held her.

Meghan: What did that feel like?

Tracy: It is hard to explain what it felt like back then because I had no concept of spirituality back then. She was 9 when I got sober. But if I were to try and put it into words today it was almost as it there was another chamber in my energy system to open up and reveal this high frequency vibration that pulls me forward. I do know that through the process of the pregnancy and dramatic birth and her amazing journey there was a lot of opportunity to stretch and expand that chamber. It felt like a space had opened within me. So with each lesson we went through each experience, each heart ache, all of the suffering that I witnessed was an opportunity to expand within me on behalf of her.

More... listen to the recording for the remainder of this true conversation.

Part 2 Transcript Summary:

M: So you personally now stepped out into this whole new journey, how did your connection about spirituality change? How did you get to having no spirituality to where you are now?

T: So I came from a catholic upbringing and a church goer and then one Sunday morning I saw something I didn’t like. I was already stepping into my addictive path too. It had to do with the poor box. An usher pointing to the poor box as he is gesturing to a homeless man almost as an admission fee and the man showed his empty pockets and the usher looked at him with distain and it seemed like such a lack of compassion and love and I decided I didn’t want to be a part of that anymore. In my place of all or nothing because that is what I lived in at the time. I like to visit church when I am traveling. But that is when I lost connection to any religious concepts. That was when I was 16. Then I traveled another 10 serious years, with a 2 year long cocaine addiction in my 20s, I knew that there was something… because I was sure that there was something. If there wasn’t something watching over me I would have been more physically and sexually abused than I had been or would have been in jail. Someone once said, “Religion is for people who believe in hell and spirituality is for people who have been to hell and back. “ Reiki is really what got me connected to the concept of universal divine love and the energy of who we are is eternal and forever, the body is just the container that allows us to the privilege to allow us to experience this lifetime.

M: After Chelsi passed away I imagine this big life moment has called upon, how has this process really been? i am sure for people who have a lot of tools to use when these devastating moments happen you may feel like throwing all of your tools out the window because they just aren’t enough. What has your experience been like, what has been working or helping, and what do you just kind of say f you to?

T: Oh there have been some f bombs dropped, a lot of them. For years I have had visions exactly what happened at our front door of police officers at our front door, seeing my husband’s back knowing he is receiving information that is devastating related to Chelsi. It wasn’t until that morning that I realized that the visions had grounded itself. Sometimes in awakening dreams, in meditation, it would randomly pop into my head. Six months before she died I was sound asleep and I woke up at 3am and I shot out of bed and said out loud “Chelsi is here to do things.” And I woke my husband up he said, “what do you mean she is here?” “No she is HERE in this life.” Knowing what I know as the perspective as Chelsi’s mom… we teach what we need to learn the most. I have no idea where it came from. She is here to do specific things, she has a contract she came in to learn specific lessons and she is deciding… we are throwing a monkey wrench into her path by throwing it judgment and fear of her addiction her homelessness. We are supposed to be loving her and observing. She contracted for a big painful lifetime. There might have been easier ways for her to do what she camehere to accomplish but she got to choose how these things to work itself out. At that point I started praying for Chelsea she be relieved of her pain and suffering whatever that looks like. I started connecting with her on more of a soul level. I started to just ALLOW in the highest way for her. That meant to let her go and travel this journey. I connected with her to say, “if you are here for anyone other than yourself, for me, please let that go. Your contract is for you and yourself.” When you open yourself up to those kinds of things. I am not saying my intensions brought her to a place of ending her life. My intentions allowed her didn’t hold her back any longer. Six months later when the police officers are standing at our door and the whole scene is playing out, I clearly came out of my body. The first two months I have tried to ground myself but not too much because it is so painful knowing I am here without her. So it doesn’t matter how much you know from a spiritual perspective when you are a mom.

More... listen to the recording for the remainder of this true conversation.

Listen here or on your phone by subscribing to the True Conversations LLC channel on itunes.

Meghan: "What was your relationship with your body before having children and how did you get to this place where you are now where you respect this vessel for what it is now and that it will never be what it was?"

Shameeka: "There are some parts of my body that after having kids will NOT go back to pre pregnancy, but there are things that I can do to enhance the feel and look... which is personal. People would say Shameeka you look great you look fine. Until I believed that, it didn't matter... I was used to being a size 0 or size 2... Fast forward after I had my kids, between my 2 pregnancies I had gained over 80 lbs, for me that was oh my gosh! It does something to you mentally, physically and emotionally. I could not tolerate it. At six weeks after I had my son I was pushing him in a stroller every day for 5 miles, no kidding if you can imagine I had weight problems for my whole life I would have known how to handle it. So the only way I knew how to deal with it was to get on a strict nutritional and exercise regimen as I was healing. If I did not have that self confidence from my spouse, it would impact me much harder. "

Meghan: "Was it your routine before having children that you and your husband work out? Where does it fit in around the family?"

Shameeka: "With having kids, I had to learn to work around my kid's schedule. I learned that they wake up and are drinking milk at 5:30am and I know after that it was my best time to walk with them because they would go to sleep. You get to the point where you are tired of being tired. I made time, but it was hard at first because kids don't know. I have trained them that they know sit here with mommy but mommy is working out for the next 45 minutes, you can play, but don't bother me. If they see that is normal for me then they will jump up and start exercising too. I could have stopped when they were younger and were crying or pulling on my leg but I knew I needed to be that role model."

Meghan: "It is important to openly communicate and advocate for what you need, to ask for help. We all know friends where the wife doesn't feel her health is as valuable and feels bad for asking for resources or money to afford your health needs."

Shameeka: "I feel as a woman we are naturally the nurturers... if we as women become so tired so not taking care of ourselves we are not the best we can be and we are not the best we can provide for others. I have to think differently, but there are times and points and map out your time in the day to say when is ME TIME? When can I decompress mentally, physically and emotionally, even if I am in the bathroom or hiding in a closet somewhere. Sometimes in the shower is my moment of let me just breathe."

Meghan: "I know when my husband is taking that time. Did the trip to Target really have to take an hour to get toilet paper? I used to get upset about it but now I recognize that that is his way of excusing himself from the chaos and taking the time he needs. If that is what he needs then I respect if and expect the same respect when I need to take the time for myself. So what were you doing before Keep Me Tight?"

Shameeka: "I am engineer, and project manager... I am just using my engineering background to design and develop my own products and use it to help and assist others."

Meghan: "I am such a huge advocate for following what is in your heart and trusting whatever life experiences you have had up to this point have been there preparing you for that gutsy move or leap of faith. Instead of having to hire engineers you can do it!"

Shameeka: "I agree our experiences are in preparation for what is to come and I have learned to trust in the process. I know what my desires are but I don't know the end game. There is a process I have to go through to see the promises I expect. The process may be familial, emotional, spiritual, and physical. You find that this is bigger than me... We are all a part of a body and we all have our natural functions. What is your place, what do you do well, and don't be afraid to reach out for help. What I am good at I will give it 110% and what I am not good at I will reach out and find people who are great at it. I have had to step back, I am an impatient person. Going back to grassroots and process I have realized everything was for a purpose, it created positive change in my character which extends to my family and my business. I ask who can I bring with me on this journey and help elevate?"

Meghan: "That is the mantra of this decade we are all better together. Realizing your worthiness and value is not about having to be everything it is about honoring what you are really good at and what you are not good at and surrounding yourself with the other pieces, you do not have to BE the whole thing to create the whole thing. You just need to find people who want the same thing and be a part of this mission."

Shameeka: "That is very humbling to say 'I lack this.'"

Meghan: "There is a core around each of us and that is what we need to plug into. All of the creation we see out there on social media are a result of our core's expansion. We can only control what decisions we are making in our own family unit and with ourselves. We may have a big broad conversation around the race issues in this country for example, but at the end of the day I am only concerned with how do I choose to treat other people and teach that to my children?"

Shameeka: "My husband reminds me that when we see people on TV that is only a small fraction of people and most people who are creating change you don't see their stories. At the end of the day my family is number 1. My business may pass one day but my family will alway be there... What am I doing now to create longevity and generations of wealth. I cannot do that if I am impatient."

Meghan: "'I have started to ask my husband, 'So I feel like I've grown in this area, do you think I've grown in that? I need an outside perspective, you're the one living with me so tell me the truth. Sometimes he says yes you have and sometimes he says, 'No, no you haven't changed at all.' It is so important to have someone with an outside perspective and that support. The spouse can act like a trampoline to bounce you back up after a fall. What do you do to grow your spiritually or lean on when you need to lean on something that is not tangibly there. I feel like going into business and having children is such an opportunity to grow your spirituality."

Shameeka: "One thing that has always been there is to attend Church weekly. We are biblically based so that is what we lean on. My trust is not in man but I believe in God. When I have my quiet time I lay out my heart, my emotions, my needs. I need to pour out and I need to be fed as well so I can function in the physical realm. For example I had been doing these Farmer's Markets with a moisturizer we make, and one morning it was heavy on my heart and it wasn't feeling right. It took me recognizing that the time out there isn't building my spiritual bond and family bond."

Meghan: "Following your feelings, that is what it would say if I had a little plane with a banner behind it flying around the country. That is the most powerful, directional, 100% about making the right decision... when you follow your feeling it is a 100% guarantee it is right decision because this includes if you need to learn something you need to learn it NOW and you will be led to that mistake NOW. The best way to serve yourself is to make those mistakes now. Your feelings will lead you them."

Shameeka: "The faith part goes deeper when you know I cannot do this by myself. It is almost like exercising, sweating and physically drained, I can do what I can do and knowing the rest is not up to me."

Meghan: "When you are making all of those tough decisions around your family and your business if it moves you away from your core you can tell. How do you spend your quiet time to check in about your decisions?"

Shameeka: "It can be music, in the car, it is about a conversation in your mind. Are my thoughts pure, positive. When we talk about being a parent, a business owner, a citizen, we can choose to welcome in only those thing that are uplifting and empowering. And I had to learn that when people give me feedback sometimes and understand it isn't always coming from a negative place, that their intentions are good."

Meghan: "When I came up with TRUE Conversations I had a hard time narrowing down to who I wanted to serve NOW, and I decided on parents because I realized if we can establish a new culture of being purposefully transparent and uplifting and empowering, the way that they act and become will trickle down to their children. The children will see all of these tools in the toolbox so that our kids have a different experience to be able to realize that for example, an assumption that when someone says something it is coming from a negative place vs assuming the best about people. So tell me about your reason behind KeepMeTight, what do you do?"

Shameeka: "I want to be a catalyst of change in people's lifestyles. Whether the women are pre or postpartum, and in athletics, when we talk about the core it is really getting down to the foundations. For me I went through that drastic change emotionally and physically because of how I looked and how my clothes didn't fit.... KeepMeTight is just a tool to use with your every day lifestyle and combine it with your fitness and nutritional regimen. I had c sections so I lost a lot of that muscle memory. I can lose some of that lack of self love and self doubt and transform that into what do I have control over and what can I do to be a better me? As women we are very hard on ourselves. When I step into and say, our core is everything, that is a center that gives us strength that give us alignment and strength and stability. That is what from a physical, emotional and spiritual aspect I transfer into a physical product. We are going to strengthen your lumbar, and intra-abdominus. I want to serve as a tool to push you and empower you. When I empower you then you have a decision to make for yourself, you can't look back and say 'I didn't know.'"

Meghan: "I completely hear you because I also wanted to solve the problem of people saying I didn't know that that was an option whether it is around birth, health, postpartum, careers. Just like when you work with someone in strengthening their core their limbs and joints ache less, when we develop our core it allows how we are interacting with people exuding into our life to also be less stressed, less painful... we all get to a place in our life especially postpartum when we want to reclaim ourselves, and feel whole again. With your experience you get it, and can extend so much compassion and understanding to others. So to wrap things up, what is one thing you think we can implement into our family life and help start teaching our children about the importance to attending to our CORE?"

Shameeka: "My kids are 4 and 5, and to ask them 'What are you feeling?' That boundary of having some freedom to express who you are because there are some things that are not life threatening. We can always talk through something even their mistakes."

Meghan: "If we continue to hover over them we do not allow them to learn how to trust their own guts and that can be devastating. What is one thing you would tell yourself if you were to jump to your future self?"

Shameeka: "Let go and trust in the process. Now I feel like we need to go have girl time and a glass of wine!

Stream from the website, or listen on the go from your smart phone podcast app in itunes (True Conversations LLC channel)

In times like these when the entire nation of the United States is filled with stress over the upcoming election, ethics, cultures, security, and even more, we feel as though these times often force us to look into ourselves, our healing, our toolbox even deeper. We wanted to provide you with a simple, and effective way to calm stress, anxiety and fear for everyone in the family: TOUCH. A hug. A foot massage. A gaze. But how does it really work? How can we do this daily and intentionally and when do we really need it?

Lisa Manning, a certified craniosacral therapist, and massage therapist of Annapolis MD, shares during this True Conversation her stories and insight with us on how we can utilize touch in our daily lives to calm anxiety, reduce fear in an effort to maintain a healthy emotional landscape between not just the adults in the home but also with the children.

Alison Bucklin, a mother and wife raising a Vegan family, talks to True Conversations about what made her decide to personally become a vegan, why she is raising her now 3 old daughter that way and what impact it is having on the sustainability of the environment, her family's health and animal rights. What may surprise is what we uncover about health, and how the decision to be vegan is not just about loving animals or saving the planet, it is a personal way to positively prevent disease, even cancer. So why not? For any family wondering what the big to do is about veganism, are plant based diets really that important, and how they could possibly even imagine giving up their chicken, listen in and take away whatever pieces of wisdom and knowledge empower you and your family.

Alison Bucklin is a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a niece and a lover of all God's creatures. I work full time for Invacare corporation as a manufacturers sales representative in Baltimore, MD. I also have my own health & wellness business with Arbonne International. In my free time I love to spend time with my family traveling to the beach or skiing in Lake Tahoe. I also enjoy roller skating and participate in an annual roller skating show where I get to perform in front of a crowd, which I love! My greatest joy is my daughter Evelyn whom I conceived through IVF after years struggling with unexplained infertility. She is the light of my life! My husband, David, and I are vegan along with our daughter. We do this for the animals, for our health and for the environment!

Listen on the GO and subscribe to our truecast on True Conversations' itunes channel from your phone.

Guest Elizabeth Steinhauer, Miss Earth Ohio 2016 and an NFL Cheerleader for Cincinnati Bengals, joined me in discussing some of the most avoided topics of today, and we tried our best to tackle these sensitive topics with as little shame and as much compassion as possible. The topics are: Sex, Food and Judgement as they relate to Reclaiming one's body. As parents we need to learn how to have these true conversations with our daughters and sons as they grow older, but first the healthy mindset and the attitude begins within us, the adults. Her insightfulness, honesty and mindfulness about her choices around sex, her ups and downs with food, pageants, competitive sports, cheerleading, and her body are relatable and wisdom for everyone.

You will be enriched and surprised by where our conversation takes us! A must listen!

Note: it was brought to our attention that the previous version of this did not upload properly. We apologize for the inconvenience. It has been uploaded in its entirety as of July 28th, but it may take 24 hours for itunes to get the update. Listen in full here and subscribe to the itunes channel for listening later.